Self-Launched Peaks of Ladakh Trek
16 days · Ladakh, India
Exodus charges £3,500
No-markup version: ~£1,750 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Exodus' Peaks of Ladakh trek — an off-the-beaten-track Himalayan adventure through remote Zanskar and Markha valleys, summiting Vatseri Peak (5,640m) and Dzo Jongo East (~6,100m) among high passes, shepherd camps and prayer flags. You'll handle your own logistics: book flights from Delhi to Leh, arrange local permits, hire a guide, porter and cook for the trek, and camp independently instead of travelling with a full-service expedition group.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Delhi
Delhi
Fly into Delhi and settle in at a budget guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh. Explore the Red Fort, Jama Masjid or Chandni Chowk at your own pace. Organise cash and confirm your early-morning flight to Leh for tomorrow.
🚌Airport metro/taxi (~£6)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Paharganj (~£12)
- →Arrival in Delhi
- →Old Delhi orientation walk
- →Book domestic flight Delhi–Leh
Fly to Leh; afternoon orientation
Leh
Take the spectacular early-morning flight over the Himalaya to Leh (3,500m). Spend the morning resting and acclimatising to the altitude, then take a gentle afternoon stroll around Leh bazaar and its colourful markets.
🚌Airport transfer (~£4)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Leh (~£10)
- →Fly Delhi–Leh (~£120)
- →Acclimatise and rest
- →Leh bazaar orientation walk
Gompas of Shey and Thiksey
Leh
Rent a taxi or join a shared tour to visit Shey Palace with its giant gold and copper Buddha, then walk across the fields to the dramatic hilltop Thiksey Monastery with panoramic views. Return to Leh for a trek briefing and gear check at a local trekking agency.
🚌Shared taxi (~£10)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Leh (~£10)
- →Visit Shey Palace
- →Walk to and explore Thiksey Monastery
- →Book local guide/porter/cook for trek
Acclimatisation walk; optional Khardung Pass
Leh
Take an acclimatisation walk above Leh up Namgyal Hill to the Old Royal Palace ruins and Tsemo Monastery, then across to the Shanti Stupa (Japanese Peace Pagoda). Optionally book a shared jeep tour up Khardung La (5,602m), one of the world's highest motorable passes.
🚌Local walking/jeep shared fare (~£15)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Leh (~£10)
- →Walk to Tsemo Monastery and Shanti Stupa
- →Optional shared jeep to Khardung La
Drive to Stok; trek to Mankarmo
Stok Valley
Leave Leh by local taxi or shared vehicle, following the Indus River to Stok village. Begin the trek from the end of Stok village on a gentle trail winding up a spectacular valley beside the Stok River on sandy paths. Five to six hours of easy walking to the first camp at Mankarmo (4,200m).
🚌Shared taxi Stok transfer
🛏Camping with local guide/crew (~£15)
- →Shared taxi from Leh to Stok (~£15)
- →Trek Stok to Mankarmo (9.5km)
- →First night camping with local crew
Cross the Matho La to Ganpoche
Matho La
Gradually ascend to your first pass, the Matho La (4,960m), taking in multi-coloured rock formations. From the pass, descend easily to a campsite at Ganpoche by shepherd huts with views toward the Matho range.
🚌N/A – trekking day
🛏Camping with local crew (~£15)
- →Cross Matho La (4,960m)
- →Trek to Ganpoche camp (10.8km)
- →Camp near shepherd huts
Cross the Shang La to Shang Phu
Shang Phu
Long climb out of camp to the Shang La (4,950m) over a low ridge and contouring into the next valley, with big views of the Matho range. Descend to camp near shepherd houses at Shang Phu (4,373m).
🚌N/A – trekking day
🛏Camping with local crew (~£15)
- →Cross Shang La (4,950m)
- →Trek to Shang Phu (13.8km)
- →Evening with local shepherds
Cross the Gyuncho La to Chuskurmo
Chuskurmo
Turn into a side valley and climb through barren landscape to the Gyuncho La (4,718m), descend to cross a stream, then climb a second col. Descend on a rocky trail into a barren valley past Chokdo village (on the classic Markha Valley route) to camp at Chuskurmo.
🚌N/A – trekking day
🛏Camping with local crew (~£15)
- →Cross Gyuncho La (4,718m)
- →Pass Chokdo village
- →Trek to Chuskurmo camp (12km)
Cross the Gongmaru La to Nimaling
Nimaling
Tough but rewarding day reaching your highest pass, the Gongmaru La (5,236m), zig-zagging steeply past prayer flags to views across the Indian Himalaya and the prominent peak Kang Yangtse. Easy descent to the high-altitude pasture of Nimaling with its summer shepherd encampments where local yoghurt and cheese can be bought.
🚌N/A – trekking day
🛏Camping at Nimaling (~£15)
- →Cross Gongmaru La (5,236m)
- →Trek to Nimaling (11.4km)
- →Buy fresh yoghurt from shepherds
Base camp; ascend Vatseri Peak (5,640m)
Dzo Jongo Base Camp
Trek along an indistinct rocky trail with your guide toward Dzo Jongo base camp (5,100m), ascending the gentle, non-technical Vatseri Peak (5,640m) as a warm-up. On a clear day soak in views of Dzo Jongo East and West across the valley.
🚌N/A – trekking day
🛏Base camp camping (~£15)
- →Ascend Vatseri Peak (5,640m)
- →Establish base camp (9.4km trek)
- →Summit views of Karakorum range
Acclimatisation rest day at base camp
Dzo Jongo Base Camp
Rest and acclimatise at base camp (5,100m). Take a short morning walk up the valley toward tomorrow's summit route or to a glacial lake. In the afternoon check climbing gear, arrange ice axe/crampons and confirm ropes with your guide.
🚌N/A – rest day
🛏Base camp camping (~£15)
- →Acclimatisation walk to glacial lake
- →Gear check for summit day
- →Rest at base camp
Summit Dzo Jongo East
Dzo Jongo East
Summit day with a 12:30am start under headtorch. Climb a steep rocky gully past a glacier onto an easy-angled slope and a long, technically easy but airy summit ridge (~6,100m) with immense views over the Karakorum and Indian Himalaya. Requires scrambling experience, a good head for heights and personal climbing gear.
🚌N/A – summit day
🛏Base camp camping (~£15)
- →Night ascent of Dzo Jongo East (~6,100m)
- →Scrambling on rocky ridge
- →Summit of the trek (~£150 guide fee share)
Cross Lalung La and Chaksang La to Riyul Sumdo
Riyul Sumdo
Trek out from base camp crossing the Lalung La and Chaksang La passes on the descent through a beautiful remote valley with striking rock formations, camping at Riyul Sumdo (4,500m).
🚌N/A – trekking day
🛏Camping (~£15)
- →Cross Lalung La and Chaksang La
- →Trek to Riyul Sumdo (11.8km)
- →Camp in remote valley
Trek to Lato; drive back to Leh
Leh
Short trek (5.3km) down to the roadhead village of Lato, where you meet a shared taxi or private vehicle for the scenic drive back to Leh. Celebrate with a hot shower, proper meal and cold drink in town.
🚌Shared vehicle Lato–Leh
🛏Budget guesthouse in Leh (~£10)
- →Trek to Lato roadhead (5.3km)
- →Shared taxi/jeep back to Leh (~£20)
- →Celebration dinner in Leh
Fly to Delhi
Delhi
Take the early-morning flight from Leh back over the Himalaya to Delhi. Check in to a budget hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening — perhaps a final dinner around Connaught Place.
🚌Airport taxi (~£6)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Delhi (~£12)
- →Fly Leh–Delhi (~£120)
- →Check in to Delhi hotel
- →Leisurely evening in Delhi
Departure from Delhi
Delhi
Free time to explore Delhi before your onward flight home — squeeze in Humayun's Tomb, the Lotus Temple or some final souvenir shopping before heading to the airport.
🚌Airport metro/taxi (~£6)
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Optional Delhi sightseeing
- →Airport transfer
- →Flight home
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,750 | £3,500 |
| Duration | 16 days | 16 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,750 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,750
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Peaks of Ladakh Trek cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,750 per person for 16 days in Ladakh, India. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £3,500 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,750 — a saving of roughly £1,750 (50%) per person.
How long is the Ladakh, India trip?+
This itinerary runs 16 days, covering 16 day-by-day stops through Ladakh, India.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Ladakh, India, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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